Makro, a warehouse club, will expand its existing telesales and e-commerce channels by awarding its business-to-consumer initiative to Digital Mall. The company is adding an EasyBuy Line which consumers can use to purchase advertised retail products over the phone, or over the Internet at www.easybuys.co.za.
Says Chris Nezar, marketing director of Makro: "We are using the telephone and the Internet as additional convenience channels to buy from Makro. Many of our clients run their own businesses or hold senior corporate positions and do not always have the time to walk into a physical store to get the bargain. This is an alternative method of shopping.
"Traditionally, Makro is a low cost/few frills business which enables us to offer the lowest wholesale prices. We have outsourced our business-to-consumer channel to DigitalMall because customers demand additional services when shopping away from bricks-and-mortar stores and DigitalMall`s infrastructure allows us to meet these demands. They also have an excellent selection of other retailers within their 'mall` and a proven track record of taking and processing orders telephonically."
Makro will create speciality stores within its site as an added benefit to online customers. This will feature virtual stores allowing customers to apply for a Makro card, purchase cellphone handsets and accessories, discount window coverings or surf the Connoisseur shop where they will be able to buy items such as cognac, fine wines and imported whiskies.
In another move, Wordsworth Books has launched its online initiative through DigitalMall.
A key driver in the decision, says Andrew Marjoribanks, MD of the largest shareholder in Wordsworth.co.za, Wordsworth Book Investments, was the extension of Wordsworth`s reach across the country.
"The five Wordsworth stores are based in Cape Town, and we wanted to offer avid readers around SA the same high level of book knowledge and customer service that our walk-in shoppers enjoy in Cape Town. With a virtual bookshop, we can reach more people and build customer relationships with a worldwide audience."
"All of the books at Wordsworth.co.za are discounted - from a minimum of 15% to up to 50% - and delivery is quick and inexpensive. Couple this with plenty of information about books and the book world, and the opportunity for book lovers to interact with one another and you have a sure-fire winner," comments Garin Toren, marketing director of DigitalMall.com.
Another channel has been added to the Wordsworth offering. Bookline is a number that can be dialled from anywhere in SA to order books over the phone, for delivery to home, the office or to a post box.
"Our research shows us that over 28 million people in SA have access to a telephone and therefore an 0860 number charged at normal local Telkom rates is the logical extension to Wordsworth`s business," notes Toren. "Bookline operators are trained to make recommendations and have advanced book search tools available to them."
Bookline (0860 3 00 00 3) will be open from 8am until 5pm on weekdays and, according to DigitalMall, this will be extended to 9pm and to weekends from early next year.
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